Fourthwrite .............................Issue No. 6

It was the worst of elections it was the best of elections. It was an election of the extremes and the middle ground went from under those who walked it. Independents like myself walked the gravel paths. One thing was clear; there was going to be change. I detected a desire for it and saw a niche that maybe, just maybe, I could slot into. It was worth a try and if I didn't get one vote I would at least bring all the issues out in the open. To stand a chance of getting a seat it was necessary to focus on what represented change. Tangible change meant campaigning on solid local issues; jobs and industry first and making Armagh work by making work for Armagh. My slogan and manifesto chimed in with long established local thought patterns. I articulated the grievances of ordinary people. Hit all the nails on the heads. All that was fundamentally wrong in old Armagh was outlined clearly and succinctly in my manifesto. Everyone, even my political rivals agreed I was making sense. Forearmed and forewarned I hit the campaign trail with a committed team. I encountered slander and skulduggery. In politics I found out who my friends were … not. But the positive outweighed the negative. Everyone thought my illustrated letter in the Irish News was brilliant. It spoke the truth about Armagh's decay and decline. It would get me votes. I got 648 first preference and a total tally of over 900. I was pipped at the post on the tenth count for a seat. I was disappointed and delighted. Others were shocked.. Such are the vagaries of the PR system. There is no bitterness. There will be another day.